It was well below freezing Friday night when a somber crowd gathered at the Niwot Children's Park. People huddled under the canopy near the reading tree, some had flowers, others were passing out candles. They had gathered to celebrate the life of Peter Guthrie Bonn-Elchoness.
Peter was a senior at Niwot High School and an avid fencer. He passed away unexpectedly Nov. 12, 2022. To celebrate his life and the way he touched so many lives, his friends, peers and others gathered to remember him.
"Peter was a great young man, he was so funny and everybody loved him," said NHS principal Eric Rauschkolb. "[He was] the type of student that everybody just wants to be friends with because they're so much fun."
Once attendees had received candles, Rauschkolb opened the vigil by welcoming everyone, sharing his own memories of Bonn-Elchoness, and invited others to do the same.
For over an hour, friends and family members shared stories. Many described Bonn-Elchoness as a fun-loving, free spirit, who fiercely cared about those close to him and had a love for life. Despite the somber mood, there were moments of joy, where it became apparent how Bonn-Elchoness had brought his community together.
Bonn-Elchoness's service was held at Congregation Har Hashem in Boulder, Colorado on Thursday, Nov. 17. He was laid to rest at Mountain View Memorial Park.
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